Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has urged the Iranian nation to refrain from any measure that would undermine unity in the country.

“Any measure that makes enemies happy, sparks controversy or saddens friends is reprehensible and should be avoided,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with heads and members of provincial councils and mayors of provincial cities on Saturday.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran takes pride in the fact that the viewpoints, ideas and demands of the people have been seriously taken into consideration from the very beginning.”

The Leader stressed that “independence and identity” were among the outstanding features of the Islamic Republic of Iran, saying Islam has enabled the country to maintain its “Iranian identity” as well.

Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the role of city and rural Islamic councils in the country and called for the reinforcement and improvement of the councils.

The Leader underlined the need for “coordination and solidarity” between the city and rural councils and the country's apparatuses and said any kind of “inconsistency and negative rivalry would be very harmful for the country.”